Although the Oak Harbor High School cheer team performed a “beautiful routine,” it was edged for the state title in its division by Sammamish’s Eastlake High School at Everett’s Comcast Arena Saturday, Feb. 4.

Wildcat coach Robin Gohn said, “We had a beautiful routine, almost flawless…It was one of the best, most precise performances that Oak Harbor has put on the mat in a long time: full of energy, technique, teamwork and heart.”

The performance earned 239 points in the small division, which consists of 12 members and no more than one male.

Although Eastlake made several mistakes, it was awarded 246 points for a more difficult routine.

Gohn was pleased with her team’s effort: “After some of the rough practices, our hopes were to get through the routine cleanly, without mistakes, and that’s exactly what we did.”

She added, “The coaches are so extremely proud how the Wildcats performed all season. They grew with each competition and tweaked their technique at every practice to prepare them for the routine they performed on Saturday.”